The Fall of Us

Love in Isolation #5

by Kennedy Fox

What happens when you travel across the country for your dream job and end up sharing a bed with an older man who volunteers you to be his fake girlfriend? You hope you don't fall in love when it's time to say goodbye.
The Fall of Us is an age gap, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance.

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2022

About the author

Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. Their characters will make you blush and your heart melt. Cowboys in tight jeans are their kryptonite. They always guarantee a happily ever after!

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Reviews

[traci l. Stambaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! My favorite so far in this series. Finn and Oakley have chemistry for days, and the setting makes me want to plan a trip Vermont. I’d stay at grandma Bennett’s inn in a heartbeat. I’m already looking forward to the next book.

[crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book took me by such surprise! truth be told, i had a hard time getting into this book but quickly after became so invested in finn and oakley! i loved their banter. the fake dating aspect was TOO GOOD! and i adored how these two were just drawn together even after how much they disliked each other in the start. they were the cutest!!

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read The Heart of Us, I thought Oakley was going to have a fun love life. And true to that, we know get Oakley’s story in The Fall of Us and it did not disappoint!

Finn is a grumpy old man. Not really old, though it’s a constant teasing point. But weathered by a past breakup that makes him into the grinch he is now. Oakley is a young and vibrant artist who radiates sunshine and wonder. What do these two have in common? More than they ever thought possible. A classic enemies to lovers story that makes you annoyed with Finn and laugh at Oakley’s attempts to further rile him up!

I love how they finally came together and realized just how much they were meant for each other. Love stories like these, where you grow with each other and find out your worth and what you really want in life is truly heart warming and makes you hope for a similar love. A love that is comforting, passionate and just right!

[Cass (cass_readsromance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the fall feels!
Oakley and Finn: Opposites attract✔️
grumpy and sunshine✔️
age gap romance✔️
Oakley is an artist that comes to Finn’s hometown to create something magical for his family’s property. She’s young, caring, optimistic and the perfect match for Finn. Finn is the hardworking, family oriented and grumpy older hero. Oakley and Finn definitely didn’t start off on the right foot but it wasn’t because of Oakley’s lack of trying. Watching this two together was fun and their chemistry was definitely noticeable to everyone! I absolutely love this book and not just because it’s set in my favorite season. In traditional Kennedy Fox fashion, with awesome main characters also comes the really great side characters. I adored Finn’s family so much!

[Imani Blake (Enamored Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great forced proximity read from Kennedy Fox!

Oakley and Finn’s story was chefs kiss. From the plot, to the banter, and naturally let’s not forget the spice.

A few other key aspects I loved about this one were the characters professions! It was nice seeing Finn’s country life and living from a non-cowboy perspective considering we all know how well KF write Cowboy romances. And I loved that Oakley is a painter! But the best part was probably the setting of this book! I can read autumn setting books any time of the year but to read it during the fall season is a-one!

Highly recommend! Also, Aspen sucks. IYKYK lol

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 Stars This was a complete snooze fest (( _ _ ))..zzzZZ

I got this book from the stuff your kindle days and started reading it for some fall vibes and I was wanting that age gap trope, but this book was so goddamn boring.

Nothing really exciting happens, there is no drama, no conflict, nothing. It's mostly painting, sex and sightseeing. Idk if you like reading a no-brainer then go for it, but I need something interesting for the plot yk? _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):

The whole Aspen thing was already boring the second time she showed up. I'm sorry but her whole behavior felt very unnatural and unrealistic. Why do they all have it so easy with breaking into ppl's houses? Does no one lock their doors? (￣^￣)

Then for the characters, Oakley is fine, nothing really interesting about her tbh. Her backstory with how painting was an escape for her in her childhood didn't really felt fleshed out. Finn is like, he's there yk. He is good with he spice but honestly I didn't really feel the agegap between the both. Plus the whole "you changed me", where did she? 🤨 Felt more like you changed yourself, you had always been able to show a no grumpy side.

Spice was fine, the family was fine and the description from the landscape was also fine. The whole relationship was cringe to the max, as well as the Aspen drama.

If you like chill books with no drama or action and super cliché, as well as cringe romance then this is for you. ( ◠‿◠ ) Nothing for me though.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a light hearted, age gap, fake relationship story.

Oakley the female MC is straightforward, confident and not needy in any way. Finn the male MC although grumpy and a bit arrogant to start with, he soon gets over himself and he was just trying to protect his heart.

The Age gap is not over played or constantly referred to, the story line is sweet and spicy and neither of the MCs have the typical ‘what the hell did you go and do that for and ruin everything’ moment.

The most annoying character was the ex-girlfriend but that’s to be expected.

This story kept me turning the pages and engaged from start to finish. Although it is part of a series and there are a couple references to characters from previous books, I think this could easily be read as a standalone.

Thank you to Kennedy Fox for an advanced copy of this book.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall of Us was exactly the book I needed! It made me want to immediately go to this small town in Vermont and immerse myself with all the wonderful characters and scenery 🍁. It played out like a spicy Hallmark that put a smile on my face and made my heart happy 🥰

[Janie Boudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for this book🥺⭐️ If you’re looking for the perfect fall read, this is it🍂🧡

[Naomie · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mehhhh, this book was just grumpy and more grumpy. Finn hates Oakley just because she's pretty and he wants her? Get it together man you are a grown ass adult... The book felt childish to me overall.

[Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy Fox know how to write an Autumnal Read… from previous books that I have read and loved (especially the Only One series -which I should have bought before putting myself on a book buying ban because I loved it so much :( ) I found myself falling in love with the settings as well as the characters.

This book, of course, did not fall short. I couldn’t get enough of this couple. This book’s an enemies to lovers / age gap / grumpy-sunshine / fake dating romance…

After Oakley, the bubbly artist has been commissioned to paint a piece for the Bennett Orchard Farm for their 100th year, she meets Finn- the grumpy guy she ends up stuck with soon after she arrives.

I loved their story so much. This is the 5th book in the series but can be read as a stand alone- which I encourage so you can get all the fall vibes!!

Their banter, their chemistry but most importantly how well they understand each other whilst being total opposites… this is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Go read it… right now.

[christyheartsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oakley has been hired to do a painting for the Bennett Orchard Farms. She is beyond excited for her first commissioned piece. Everyone at the farm is super nice and welcoming. All except the hot grump that picked her up from the airport and will be showing her around the farm. Finn doesn't have time for city girls. He has a farm to run and isn't interested in someone who doesn't plan on staying. But when Finn's ex comes sniffing around again, Finn says that Oakley is his girlfriend in a moment of panic. Now they have to pretend to like each other and share a tiny cabin. What could go wrong?

I loved this book. Oakley and Finn are my favorite of this series. Their banter was so much fun. They both had me laughing. And their chemistry was pouring off the pages. I loved the small town feel of this one and how welcoming everyone was to Oakley. Just a fun, cute and hot read. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.

[glavreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - such a quick, fun read

oakley’s been commissioned by a small town farm in vermont to paint a mural for their celebration except when she gets there, she’s picked up by the grumpy older farmer who wants nothing to do with her. he keeps his distance until his ex comes back to town for the celebration and he may have let it slip that oakley’s his girlfriend… and then oakley tells his ex that she can stay in her cottage. so, in the span of one conversation, they’re now fake dating and roommates.

the banter in this book was SO GOOD, and it had all my fave tropes done so well: grumpy/sunshine, age gap, one bed trope, fake dating, etc. finn’s a gruff but sensitive hero whose ex really shook him up so he doesn’t want to fall for oakley but he really can’t help it.

[kourt · Rating 2 out of 5]

i refuse to read the epilogue :D was it the worst book i’ve read? no. was it cliche? yes. did it give me what i needed (short fluffy romance)? yes. do i still have complaints? ofc… plenty of them, but beggars can’t be choosers.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so damn cute and spicy. Perfect for lovers of forced proximity, fake dating and grumpy/sunshine.

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
Mini rtc, maybe?

[Isabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

started out cute but this also felt slightly immature with the banter/some of the characters' actions.

the smut was good, but I just didn't really enjoy this one.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book HAS LITERALLY EVERY TROPE I LIKE. You will 🍁FALL🍁 in love.

Oakley & Finn. Oh my lord what a pair. I FELT their tension right off the bat and it was so damn good. Like plz. Finn was so grumpy and I was shaking waiting for everything to go down between them. An artist and a small town country boy. We love to see it 🫶

These two are forced into fake dating as Finn freaks out and accidentally calls Oakley his girlfriend in front of his ex. They go with it because why not?! His ex is the devil and she deserves it!! But little do they expect to have some built up frustrations that keep stacking and stacking AND STACKING UP

And I cant forget to mention when they finally break and give in, ITS SO DAMN HOT. We got a shower scene. We got an orchard scene. We got a kitchen scene. I MEAN HOLY MOLY. WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY NEED.

I loved gramma Willa & Finn’s bestie Levi. Great Side characters are my fave ❤️

Oh and ITS FALL AF!!!!!!!! I could literally smell the apples while reading. And I read this in one day!!

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Fake Dating
Age gap
Only one bed
Enemies to Lovers
Small town romance

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curl up with a blanket and grab some cider when you read this one! The fall vibes are strong and I loved it.

I LOVE Oakley and Finn from the start until the very end. The clashed the second they met and the two of them were pushing each others buttons left and right. I loved the back and forth banter between the two of them. Plus the simmering tension below the surface. I was just waiting for everything to come to a head and be explosive between them and…it was well worth the wait!

I love Oakley’s personality. She is full of life and bubbly and creative. She brings a smile to anyone she meets and interacts with. Finn is closed off, grumpy, and just kind of likes to keep to himself. He is close with his family and his best friend Levi, but that’s about it. I loved that Oakley brings out a different side to him and really brings some joy to his life.

If you’re looking for a fake dating, age gap, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, small town romance this is one to check out.

[Jeraca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.

I adored this story. I love Oakley and her chipper, sunshiny view of life. She is smart, so talented, and super sweet. Finn had no chance to avoid falling for her!

I love how she fit so well in the small Vermont town. She loved everything about it and I love that she was able to show that love through her paintings so she can share that memorable experience with buyers.

Finn. Gotta love his grumpy, "old-man" attitude. Seeing him slowly thaw out and cave into the bright personality of Oakley was amazing. It may have started to get back at his ex, but tension was a-brewing before that comical moment.

I loved every bit of this book and I wish we got more novels of these amazing characters! I guess I'll just have to make sure to do a reread in the near future to see these two fall all over again!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the writing duo Kennedy Fox and have been enjoying their stories for a long time. I recently had the opportunity to listen to The Fall of Us, narrated by Andi Arndt and Aiden Snow, and truly enjoyed this opposites attract age-gap romance. Not sure how I missed this series, but I am so excited to get into it now and read more. This is the 5th book in the series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Here we have Finn and Oakley and their journey was fun and delightful. I loved their chemistry and banter to much. Oakley was sunshine to Finn’s grumpiness and I was here for all of it. She was fun and likable and he has been hurt before and is more reserved. But when they find themselves fake dating, all bets are off and it was so much fun seeing them fall. This was a sweet, fun and steamy romance.

Happy listening!

[Alexis Thrower · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for the perfect fall romance this book is for you!!

Finn and Oakley's book is the perfect grumpy/sunshine, age gap, fake dating, small town, one bed/forced proximity romance. Oakley takes a job in Vermont to paint something for this farms 100 year celebration. When she arrives in town she's met with Finn who is this hot older man who has no interest in having to show Oakley around the farms property. The sexual tension between Finn and Oakley is there and everyone can see it but the two of them until Finn's ex girlfriend shows up engaged to another man. Finn does some quick thinking and says that Oakley is his girlfriend. This book is definitely a spicy hallmark romance! I can't wait to catch some of them in the next book!

[olovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

i hadn’t read any of the other books in this series, but this book made me want to go back and read them all. i loved oakley and finn so much!

listennnnnnnn, how is this man gonna run an apple orchard and has a mouth like this:

I wrap a hand around her throat, increasing my pace between her thighs.

“Keep talking all that sass, and I'll find a way to shut you up.”

“Prove it.”

the scream in which i scrempt. bc he also was saying swoonworthy stuff like this:

“You’re the only woman who’s ever had the power to get under my skin and make me lose all control. I need you next to me to fall asleep. I’m addicted to you, Oakley. No one's ever had that effect on me. You've made me dependent in a matter of days, City Girl. Hence why you're a true pain in my goddamn a$$.”

like i wanna be a pain in his a$$ lowkey.

anywhom, i read this in one sitting and it was so fun to read. its an age gap, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, one bed, small town romance. and i ate it all up and left no crumbs.

[gabreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall of Us had everything I was looking for in an escape read.
The romance here was spectacular. Finn and Oakley had such intense chemistry. It lit up the pages. I loved their banter as much as their steamy times. The tension was palatable and I couldn't wait for it to break. Oakley and Finn paired so nicely together; they were perfection!
The writing is addictive too. Unputdownable!
This had fake dating, age gap, enemies to lovers, roommates, close proximity, grumpy/sunshine, only one bed and spice!
This is book five in a series but can easily be read on its own. This was my first read in this series and I will definitely going back to read the others.

* Thank you to the authors for providing an advanced readers copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

[Sarah Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony, steamy wonderfulness!

I loved this so much! This was my first read in the Love in Isolation series, and while it was magnificently enjoyable as a standalone, I absolutely cannot wait to go back and catch up on the earlier books in the series. Oakley and Finn were magic together. From snarky, sarcastic head-to-head bickering, to undeniably off-the-charts steamy sexy times, to madly in love swoony wonderfulness - I loved every moment of it.

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oakley and Finn's story is my favorite! Finn is my new book boyfriend. Totally swoon worthy!

Finn and Oakley find themselves in a odd situation of having to be around each other and then fall for each other. Their love story is beyond a meet cute of a rose colored young girl and an older grump who has been hurt by love before. Finn and Oakley just scream true love and their book is definitely one that needs to be read!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn and Oakley were a couple with lots of fun, snark and heat! Right from the start, Oakley and Finn's chemistry was off the charts- their bickering was their foreplay and when Finn blurts out that Oakley is his girlfriend to his ex the intensity really gets kicked up a few notches along with lots of fun and a great HEA.

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sweet and steamy read... I loved the dynamic of the characters and the banter between them.

Oakley is total sunshine and earns her nickname from Finn with being herself.

Finn is a total grump and being jaded from a breakup he is not the nicest..
But Oakley and her brightness shines into the darkest parts of Finn.

This is a good read with the feels and the love you enjoy from KF.

[Taylor - Shesaysgetbooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that trending tiktok sound, “i want to go there.”

That’s me and this book. I want to snap my fingers and magically appear in this fictionally little Vermont town with an apple orchard

This has the perfect grumpy/sunshine trope and forced proximity. I ate it up. So many of the scenes in this book are engrained in my brain because they were so witty and clever.

I also cannot wait for Levi’s book!

[Maria Dassay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s set the scene, a beautiful small town in Vermont and on a beautiful apple orchard say less!

Finn and Oakley are the definition of grumpy sunshine and I loved it. The banter and the chemistry between them is perfect.

Age gap, small town, one bed, fake dating just all the things about this book are spot on.🍂🧡


“Well, if that's the case, prepare to put out afterward. I like eating my dessert in bed.”

“Keep talking all that sass, and I'll find a way to shut you up.”

Finn has a way with words😮‍💨